With 3145 marine casualties and incidents in 2016, the total number reported in EMCIP since its establishment has reached 16500. Since 2014, the number of reported accidents seems to have stabilised at around 3200 occurrences per year. While the number of very serious and serious marine casualties and incidents remained at levels similar to previous years, a limited but continuing increase of less serious accidents reported was noted. However, some underreporting of marine casualties and incidents appears still to exist, although there has been continuous improvement since the implementation of the relevant EU legislation in 2011. Estimates indicate that under-reporting relates mostly to the less serious casualties and incidents.

Over the period 2011-2016, half of the casualties were of a navigational nature, such as contacts, grounding/stranding or collision. Amongst occupational accidents, 40% were attributed to slipping, stumbling and falling of persons.

Human erroneous action represented 60% of accidental events and 71% of accidental events were linked to shipboard operations as a contributing factor. Of all casualties, 42% took place in port areas. The number of ships lost has reduced by 50% since 2014.

In 2016, the number of cargo ships involved in marine casualties and incidents has decreased to 1400. A significant decrease of fatalities was noted in 2016, reaching the lowest level of 2012.

Despite a decrease in the number of fishing vessels lost in 2016, a significant increase of fatalities and injuries was noted.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Although during the period 2011 – 2016 the number of fatalities on board passenger ships is dominated by the Costa Concordia (32 fatalities and 17 injured persons in 2012) and the Norman Atlantic (11 fatalities and 31 injured persons in 2014), since 2014 a continuous decrease of fatalities and injuries is evident.

A reduction of service ships lost was noted in 2016, as well as the number of fatalities and injuries.

Finally, for ships of other types, those indicators revealed an increase in 2016.

Across the period 2011 – 2016, EU States’ investigative bodies have launched 869 investigations and 695 reports have been published. Among the 1300 safety recommendations issued, 28% related to operational practices, in particular safe working practices. Half of the safety recommendations were addressed to shipping companies and the rate of positive responses was about 66%.